Seattle first baseman Kendrys Morales

Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images

Age: 30 Bats: Both 2013 stats: .278 average/.337 on-base/.465 slugging, 16 homers, 58 RBIs in 100 games Contract: Free agent after season; roughly $2 million left in 2013 Why he fits: Given his age, power and switch-hitting ability, Morales is the best potentially available designated hitter on the market. One player I talked to said adding Morales would be a huge boost to an already strong lineup that has struggled recently. He could bat anywhere from third to seventh. A Cuban native, he could be a built-in mentor for rookie Henry Urrutia. Connolly's take: This one would cost the Orioles. Can't imagine they would be able to land him without dealing infielder Jonathan Schoop or pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez -- maybe both. The sense is the Mariners don't need to trade Morales, and they may not. He could end up with a qualifying offer when he becomes a free agent -- so he could be with the Mariners in 2014 or yield them draft picks if he signed elsewhere.

Age: 30 Bats: Both 2013 stats: .278 average/.337 on-base/.465 slugging, 16 homers, 58 RBIs in 100 games Contract: Free agent after season; roughly $2 million left in 2013 Why he fits: Given his age, power and switch-hitting ability, Morales is the best potentially available designated hitter on the market. One player I talked to said adding Morales would be a huge boost to an already strong lineup that has struggled recently. He could bat anywhere from third to seventh. A Cuban native, he could be a built-in mentor for rookie Henry Urrutia. Connolly's take: This one would cost the Orioles. Can't imagine they would be able to land him without dealing infielder Jonathan Schoop or pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez -- maybe both. The sense is the Mariners don't need to trade Morales, and they may not. He could end up with a qualifying offer when he becomes a free agent -- so he could be with the Mariners in 2014 or yield them draft picks if he signed elsewhere. (Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images)

Age: 30 Bats: Both 2013 stats: .278 average/.337 on-base/.465 slugging, 16 homers, 58 RBIs in 100 games Contract: Free agent after season; roughly $2 million left in 2013 Why he fits: Given his age, power and switch-hitting ability, Morales is the best potentially available designated hitter on the market. One player I talked to said adding Morales would be a huge boost to an already strong lineup that has struggled recently. He could bat anywhere from third to seventh. A Cuban native, he could be a built-in mentor for rookie Henry Urrutia. Connolly's take: This one would cost the Orioles. Can't imagine they would be able to land him without dealing infielder Jonathan Schoop or pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez -- maybe both. The sense is the Mariners don't need to trade Morales, and they may not. He could end up with a qualifying offer when he becomes a free agent -- so he could be with the Mariners in 2014 or yield them draft picks if he signed elsewhere.